After perusing countless reviews, I settled on the PSA1 boom arm for the SM7b mic that's on its merry way to me. All the booms I researched in the $100-180 range each had several problems. Overall, most reviewers found the PSA1 to be among the simplest, quietest, and cheapest, so I added it to my studio mic kit order.
Don't let my detailed enumeration of several issues dissuade you from this product until you have judged all the issues presented here in the light of your own scenario.
=== OOBE (Out of box experience):
The box is a typical keyboard-sized cardboard box within a slicker thin cardboard slip sleeve printed with the usual blurbs. It contained only 4 items: (1) fully assembled boom, (2) C-clamp style desk mount, (3) alternative bushing mount for a drilled hole in a desk, and (4) a small, odd-looking female-male mic thread size expander (not the expected reducer).
Removing the goods was a little tricky but not rocket science. There are no markings or instructions as to how to open the inner cardboard box or how to remove the inserts so you just start pulling it apart. It was easy but needlessly confusing. Put some arrows on it or add some "Pull Here" or "Open Here" labels. Ends up dropping the desk hole base and thread adapter since the way I guessed to open it let those items fall out.
=== Set Up
This was dead easy and very fast - only 2 minutes. You just clamp the desk mount to the edge of a table's top surface that can be up to several inches thick. Twist the screw till tight and drop in the boom's shaft. Done!
The C-clamp obviously cannot work desks that have a solid side that rises right up to the top surface without any "under area" to clamp to. For those, you might try the back or front top surface edges that may have clearance under them. Otherwise, you could drill a hole in the desk and use the included desk hole mount.
Another alternative is to get a small square of hardwood and screw it onto the top side edge of the desk so that half of it is on the desk and the other half hangs outwards in free space. You could then clamp the base to that or drill a hole in it for the desk hole clamp.
You need only install the clamp on a desk's edge surface, if you have one that sticks out like most then drop the boom's male shaft into the female mount's hole. Done. Well, almost, untill I tried to mount my LS-11 with 1/4-20 thread.
=== Limited Swing:
It also suffers the same back swing issue as do some of its competitors. That is, the lower boom leg, from the base to the elbow, only swings backward from vertical a scant 20 degrees. It doesn't go back further because the two arms that comprise the leg are already pressed together at that point.
Rode would need only increase the size of the elbow joints and add more space between the arms of each leg. That would allow significantly more back movement.
The limited back swing also means you CANNOT place the base of the arm near you, e.g., on the edge of a desk to your left. That is because, to clear the mic from your face, you would have to either lift the mic arm way high or to rotate the whole shebang to the side. What most would want is to simply push the arms directly backwards away from you. So, it's not a showstopper – just another disappointment. It’s a problem you just have to live with unless you go for one of the more monstrous arms you see in studios – and at studio prices!
=== Unexpectedly Smallish:
This is NOT a studio arm with lots of movement options. It is a simple but stable swing arm about the size of the arms you may have seen as part of the Luxo lamp line used for art, hobbies or precision work. I'd say it is “just” large enough for a hefty mic like the SM7b. The size of the PSA1, much like the Heil boom, is more like the base of a swing lamp where each arm of the boom is only 18-20 inches.
While waiting for the SM7b, I planned to use the arm with my Olympus LS-11 hand held audio recorder which compares well to $300-$500 condenser mics and is an excellent USB mic - apart from the expected terrible live-monitor latency which is normal for any unit without a specialized USB driver.
=== Poorly described "3/8 adapter":
In today's world with ever shrinking component sizes, if you see a smallish boom with a 3/8 thread size and the box says it includes a “3/8 adapter”, I'd wager a good many non-pro users would assume that to be a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter and not the 3/8 to 5/8 adapter that it is. As a pro, I still did a quick head scratch since several of my current recording devices now have 1/4-20 threads.
I grant that 5/8 is the standard size of mic stand threads and the mics that screw onto them, but Rode should include a 3/8-1/4 reducing adapter, as well, for use with the ever-increasing number of devices that have 1/4-20 threads such as cameras, recorders, small mics, go pros, web cams, and smartphones.
Hey, Rode, why not just make a really GREAT unit by adding a small cheap ball head with 1/4, 3/8, and 5/8 threads. Voila, you’ll have a hands-down winner.
=== Spring-Balance Issue:
A significant problem occurred while I tested the arm with my smaller mics, like the Olympus LS-11 handheld USB recorder and on-location mic. This arm barely works for them. The problem is that the elbow units are spring-loaded to counteract the weight of larger mics. With small mics or no mics at all, the arm swings upwards on its own when the mic arm is less than about 30 degrees downward from horizontal. Without adding weights, the arm has to be pulled down to about -40 degrees below horizontal where the elbow spring increases their torques and the arm refrains from rising on its own.
You should plan on needing at least 1-2 pounds of weight on the end of the arm to keep it from swinging upwards on its own. Without the weight and when the mic arm is anywhere above -30 degrees horizontal, it swings upwards to about 10-20 degrees above horizontal. In such low weight cases, you’ll have to pull the mic arm down to about -30 to -40 degrees from horizontal before the knee joints decide to hold the arm there. That effectively disallows movement from -30 to +10 of horizontal.
To be fair, this is a low cost boom and the matter is moot with pro mics that typically weigh 1-4 pounds.
=== Loose desk mount shaft hole:
The C-clamp desk mount hole that receives the boom’s mounting shaft seems rather large for the size of the shaft so it loose. However, as others have noted, since the arm is almost always swung out to the side to some degree, the cantilevered weight pulls the shaft sideways making the mounting feel solid.
Another potential issue with a loose mounting pivot shaft is that if the desk mount is not absolutely level, the entire boom could rotate in the direction of the tilted mount. This is not a common case and should not occur for most people when mounting to a level desk surface.
=== Bottom Line:
I gave the PSA1 3.5 stars because, despite its flaws, it is low cost, very easy to install, is relatively quiet, and most mics above $100 weigh at least a pond or two so it just works. Of the other booms I’ve seen reviewed, they seem to have their own issues such as the Heil’s less mounting sturdy base. I recommend this arm if you understand all of the issues I presented and you have deemed them to be of little consequence for your needs.
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From the manufacturer
Whether you're podcasting, broadcasting, on the radio, or streaming at home, microphone placement is everything. The PSA1 is a professional studio boom arm that will help you position your microphone exactly where it needs to be.
With its parallelogram spring design for keeping the microphone perfectly stable even when the arm height is adjusted, the PSA1 will help you get the perfect recording every time.
Unlike many other studio arms, the PSA1 features internal springs for quiet operation, meaning that even large movements won’t result in mechanical noise ruining your recording.
The PSA1 comes with everything you need in the box, including a threaded desk insert for mounting in a studio setup, as well as a clamp for quick and easy mounting onto a desk.
Compare with similar items
 | Rode PSA1+ Desk-mounted Broadcast Microphone Boom Arm | DISINO Microphone Boom Arm Stand Heavy Duty Adjustable Suspension Scissor & Spring Built-in Mic Stand For Blue Yeti Snowball Microphone & Blue Yeti Nano | On-Stage MBS7500 Professional Studio Microphone Boom Arm | Amazon Basics Adjustable Boom Height Microphone Stand with Tripod Base, Up to 85.75 Inches - Black | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (12732) | (512) | (276) | (78) | (16571) |
| Price | $94.00 | $129.00 | $49.99 | $100.95 | $31.87 |
| Shipping | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details |
| Sold By | Save Done Deals | Amazon.com | Disino | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| Base Type | Clamp | Clamp | Clamp | Clamp | — |
| Brand Name | Rode | Rode | Disino | OnStage | Amazon Basics |
| Color | MultiColored | ブラック | Blue | Black | Black |
| Item Dimensions | 21 x 8 x 4 inches | 3.94 x 2.56 x 37.01 inches | — | 23 x 3 x 7 inches | 24.25 x 21.32 x 85.75 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.84 lbs | 3.40 lbs | 3.53 lbs | 3.80 lbs | 3.31 lbs |
| Maximum Weight Recommendation | 2.43 lbs | — | — | — | — |
| Style | Desktop Stands | Boom Arm | Desktop Stands | MBS7500 Pro Boom Arm | Microphone Stand without Mic Clip |
Now I'm not a boom arm expert but I will compare the Blue Compass boom arm to the PSA1 Rode boom arm so you can understand my reason for the rating.Refer to bottom for quick pros/cons of each boom armsThe Rode stays in place no mater where you place your mic. It has one screw on the top joint that controls all the tension. You dont even have to adjust the other joints. Even the angle of that your mic was in will stay the same with the PSA1 Rode because its got two arms that keep the mic angle regardless if the boom arm position. With the Rode, you just have to tighten on the top joint screw and it will stay. I can even adjust the angle the mic is in the boom arm to be horizontally. Comes with an thread adapter too. The only drawback is the there is no housing for the cables and desk clamp is a bit wider but other than that I prefer the PSA1 Rode over the Blue Compass. I can live with thr slightly wider clamp and I can easily buy boom arm cable sleeves or cable sleeves to address the housing issue. Also it does come with 3 velcro strips to hold the cables.In comparison, I like how simple and clean the Blue Compass looks for a 100 dollar boom arm. This boom arm has housring that covers up the wires and cords. (PSA1 Rode lacks)The desk clamp is small , sleek and easy to attach to any desk.(PSA1 Rode lacks)This boom arm just fits comfortably on it. It even comes with an adapter theading for different size mics.What I hated about Blue Compass is what everyone else hates about the Blue Compass; it does not accurately stay in place. (PSA1 Rode does!) If you bend the first joint diagonally and then bend the next joint more than 90s degrees the arm will jolt back and not stay no matter what. Even untightening the tension screw, and adjusting the joint knobs, it will not stay in place accurately. For example you cannot position the last joint( where you can angle the mic horizontally) how you want because it will spring out of position. Refer to picture I'm literally holding it from springing up even with the tension screw adjusted and joints tightened. You are limited on the angles you can place your mic on the Blue Compass because when you move the arm the mic, the arm does not have mechanism to retain the angle. You are subject to the way the angle of the mic is screwed in on sometimes. It might be facing up when you want it towards you. How I wanted my mic was to be horizontal but low near my mouth so that I can be heard and see my computer screen. This is not possible. It is with the PSA1 Rode!Blue CompassPros-Housing Hides wires(looks clean)-small strong desk clamp-thread adapter-Has Tension screw-joints can be tightenedCons-Does not stay in place( jolts back alot)-Limited angles-Does not retain mic angle when arm is reposition-Tension screw mechanism not the best-Joints need to be adjusted even after tension screwPSA1 RodePros-Can retain mic angle regardless of arm position-Has thread Adapter-Has Tension screw (on highest joint)-Joints don't need be tighten if tension screw adjustedCons-slightly bigger desk clamp (not much difference though-no cable/wire housing( can be fixed with cable sleeves)
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 7, 2014
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 30, 2021
Refer to bottom for quick pros/cons of each boom arms
The Rode stays in place no mater where you place your mic. It has one screw on the top joint that controls all the tension. You dont even have to adjust the other joints. Even the angle of that your mic was in will stay the same with the PSA1 Rode because its got two arms that keep the mic angle regardless if the boom arm position. With the Rode, you just have to tighten on the top joint screw and it will stay. I can even adjust the angle the mic is in the boom arm to be horizontally. Comes with an thread adapter too. The only drawback is the there is no housing for the cables and desk clamp is a bit wider but other than that I prefer the PSA1 Rode over the Blue Compass. I can live with thr slightly wider clamp and I can easily buy boom arm cable sleeves or cable sleeves to address the housing issue. Also it does come with 3 velcro strips to hold the cables.
In comparison, I like how simple and clean the Blue Compass looks for a 100 dollar boom arm. This boom arm has housring that covers up the wires and cords. (PSA1 Rode lacks)The desk clamp is small , sleek and easy to attach to any desk.(PSA1 Rode lacks)This boom arm just fits comfortably on it. It even comes with an adapter theading for different size mics.
What I hated about Blue Compass is what everyone else hates about the Blue Compass; it does not accurately stay in place. (PSA1 Rode does!) If you bend the first joint diagonally and then bend the next joint more than 90s degrees the arm will jolt back and not stay no matter what. Even untightening the tension screw, and adjusting the joint knobs, it will not stay in place accurately. For example you cannot position the last joint( where you can angle the mic horizontally) how you want because it will spring out of position. Refer to picture I'm literally holding it from springing up even with the tension screw adjusted and joints tightened. You are limited on the angles you can place your mic on the Blue Compass because when you move the arm the mic, the arm does not have mechanism to retain the angle. You are subject to the way the angle of the mic is screwed in on sometimes. It might be facing up when you want it towards you. How I wanted my mic was to be horizontal but low near my mouth so that I can be heard and see my computer screen. This is not possible. It is with the PSA1 Rode!
Blue Compass
Pros
-Housing Hides wires(looks clean)
-small strong desk clamp
-thread adapter
-Has Tension screw
-joints can be tightened
Cons
-Does not stay in place( jolts back alot)
-Limited angles
-Does not retain mic angle when arm is reposition
-Tension screw mechanism not the best
-Joints need to be adjusted even after tension screw
PSA1 Rode
Pros
-Can retain mic angle regardless of arm position
-Has thread Adapter
-Has Tension screw (on highest joint)
-Joints don't need be tighten if tension screw adjusted
Cons
-slightly bigger desk clamp (not much difference though
-no cable/wire housing( can be fixed with cable sleeves)
Best Boom Arm I bought for $100!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 30, 2021
Now I'm not a boom arm expert but I will compare the Blue Compass boom arm to the PSA1 Rode boom arm so you can understand my reason for the rating.Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 30, 2021
Refer to bottom for quick pros/cons of each boom arms
The Rode stays in place no mater where you place your mic. It has one screw on the top joint that controls all the tension. You dont even have to adjust the other joints. Even the angle of that your mic was in will stay the same with the PSA1 Rode because its got two arms that keep the mic angle regardless if the boom arm position. With the Rode, you just have to tighten on the top joint screw and it will stay. I can even adjust the angle the mic is in the boom arm to be horizontally. Comes with an thread adapter too. The only drawback is the there is no housing for the cables and desk clamp is a bit wider but other than that I prefer the PSA1 Rode over the Blue Compass. I can live with thr slightly wider clamp and I can easily buy boom arm cable sleeves or cable sleeves to address the housing issue. Also it does come with 3 velcro strips to hold the cables.
In comparison, I like how simple and clean the Blue Compass looks for a 100 dollar boom arm. This boom arm has housring that covers up the wires and cords. (PSA1 Rode lacks)The desk clamp is small , sleek and easy to attach to any desk.(PSA1 Rode lacks)This boom arm just fits comfortably on it. It even comes with an adapter theading for different size mics.
What I hated about Blue Compass is what everyone else hates about the Blue Compass; it does not accurately stay in place. (PSA1 Rode does!) If you bend the first joint diagonally and then bend the next joint more than 90s degrees the arm will jolt back and not stay no matter what. Even untightening the tension screw, and adjusting the joint knobs, it will not stay in place accurately. For example you cannot position the last joint( where you can angle the mic horizontally) how you want because it will spring out of position. Refer to picture I'm literally holding it from springing up even with the tension screw adjusted and joints tightened. You are limited on the angles you can place your mic on the Blue Compass because when you move the arm the mic, the arm does not have mechanism to retain the angle. You are subject to the way the angle of the mic is screwed in on sometimes. It might be facing up when you want it towards you. How I wanted my mic was to be horizontal but low near my mouth so that I can be heard and see my computer screen. This is not possible. It is with the PSA1 Rode!
Blue Compass
Pros
-Housing Hides wires(looks clean)
-small strong desk clamp
-thread adapter
-Has Tension screw
-joints can be tightened
Cons
-Does not stay in place( jolts back alot)
-Limited angles
-Does not retain mic angle when arm is reposition
-Tension screw mechanism not the best
-Joints need to be adjusted even after tension screw
PSA1 Rode
Pros
-Can retain mic angle regardless of arm position
-Has thread Adapter
-Has Tension screw (on highest joint)
-Joints don't need be tighten if tension screw adjusted
Cons
-slightly bigger desk clamp (not much difference though
-no cable/wire housing( can be fixed with cable sleeves)
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 8, 2023
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 24, 2022
Top reviews from other countries
Alin Buda
Utterly Underwhelming
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 6, 2018
Alin Buda
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 6, 2018
I had to choose in between a £12.95 no name same size arm and this one. I should have gone for the cheaper version - I don't know why I keep buying RØDE products. I have a camera mic from RØDE (the VideoMic GO) which I am also unhappy with... I really should do more research before buying this kind of crap I guess. So why is a bad choice? Because all looks good in images and the finish of the product is acceptable until you mount this on your desk. I did not want to drill a hole, just in case, I don't like it so I used the clamp. This works just fine. But when you put the arm into the table mount you find out that is just a hole that lets the arm wobble like an unfinished product. Feels like something is missing from it so unless it does, this is a huge design fail. When I don't use the mic and have to push it away, feels like I am about to break this thing. a metallic friction sound comes from this and I can't see why should cost 3 times more than another arm. So the quality vs price is the reason I consider this product underwhelming. I deleted from my basket a product which costs a third of this. Make yourself a favour and don't spend your money on this product, buy a proper arm or a cheap one - to be fair I don't know what a proper arm looks like, but avoid this one. RØDE is failing me again and I guess is the last product I buy from this guys.
Images in this review
Daniel Davinci
Great Robust, Professional Arm
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 5, 2021
Daniel Davinci
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 5, 2021
The joins of this arm are very sturdy and they hold my heavy SM7B in place. I've heard only a few squeaks out of it. I've heard that it's a bad idea to oil, since might no longer take the weight of a heavy mic due to lack of friction. It swings in the clamp stand (the cone) freely and can rotate quite fast. I swung the mic into play to do some quick vocals and it nearly swung and hit my screen. My fault however. The quality of the straights on this arm are clearly thicker than my previous arm (which bent) and the arm is heavy overall.
Whilst fitting the SM7B mic, I was concerned that there wasn't enough clearance to plug the XLR into the SM7B holder due to the chrome tighteners. I managed to get it in, but it's at a slight angle and putting lateral pressure on it. The arm has an option to put the actual wire inside the frame, but I've no idea how to do this unless I were to be electrically savvy and good with a soldering iron to take apart an XLR cable!
Overall,really pleased. My 'studio' is maturing as I age. I'm proud of my mic and this arm is the icing on the cake.
Images in this review
Starfox
✔️Top Produkt aber erbärmliche Lieferung❌
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on March 1, 2020
Starfox
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on March 1, 2020
Zur Halterung meines Rode Procaster hab ich mir den passenden Gelenkarm von Rode gekauft.
❌Lieferung:
Die Lieferung erfolgte mit Amazon Logistics und dauerte ca. 4 Tage. Der Gelenkarm wurde in dem originalen Karton verschickt, dementsprechend sah dieser auch aus (siehe Bilder). Wie durch ein Wunder war der Gelenkarm aber in Takt und hatte seltsamerweise nichts abbekommen. Aufgrund der katastrophalen Lieferung muss ich zwei Sterne abziehen...
✔️Verarbeitung:
Die Verarbeitung des Gelenkarms ist perfekt! Es gibt keine Kratzer, Macken oder sonstige Mängel! Die Stabilität des Armes ist der Wahnsinn, egal in welchem Winkel oder welcher Position das Mikrofon gehalten werden soll.
🏁Fazit:
Ich bin total begeistert von diesem Gelenkarm. Die Qualität von Rode ist einfach der Wahnsinn. Das Mikrofon wird in jeder Lage sicher gehalten und lässt sich zudem in jede erdenkliche Position verstellen. Kaufempfehlung! Lediglich die Lieferung war eine totale Katastrophe...
⭐️Anmerkung⭐️
Ich hoffe meine ehrliche Rezension war für Sie hilfreich. Mein Ziel ist es, die positiven sowie negativen Eigenschaften des Produktes aufzuzeigen und vor einem Fehlkauf zu bewahren.
Besten Dank und viele Grüße
Starfox 🥰
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